Dean's Blog

What AI Search Means for Tradespeople in 2026 (And What It Doesn't)
Every week there's a new headline about AI changing search forever. "Google is dead." "ChatGPT is replacing Google." "Your website is becoming irrelevant." For tradespeople trying to run a business and win local customers, the noise is real and the confusion is understandable. Here's what the data actually shows — and what it means for whether a locally-targeted website matters for your trade in 2026. What's Actually Happening with AI Search Google launched Ask Maps — a conversational AI overlay within Google Maps — in March 2026, initially rolling out... Read more...
Checkatrade vs Your Own Website: The Real Cost in 2026
Every tradesperson has been told at some point that they need to be on Checkatrade. It's the established answer to the question "how do I get more leads?" — and for years it worked well enough. But in 2026, the calculus is changing, and the tradespeople who understand the difference between renting a listing and owning their pipeline are starting to act on it. This isn't an anti-Checkatrade article. It's an honest look at what you're actually buying when you pay for a listing there, versus what you own when... Read more...
UK Tradesmen Are Raising Their Prices in 2026 — Here's Why
The numbers are in. According to the 2026 UK Trade Report by Capital on Tap, 81 per cent of UK tradespeople are planning to raise their rates this year, with an average increase of 9.5 per cent. For a trade sector that's been accused of undercharging for years, this is a significant shift — and the reasons behind it are structural, not temporary. But here's the tension: you can decide to raise your prices, and you can tell existing customers about the change. What you can't do is force new... Read more...
£9,000 Heat Pump Grant: Are Heating Engineers Getting Their Share?
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant for heat pumps has increased to £9,000 — up from £7,500 — for properties currently heated by oil or LPG boilers. The uplift came into effect in July 2026, and it's already driving a wave of homeowner enquiries that MCS-certified installers are well-placed to capture. The question is whether they're actually capturing it. If you're a heating engineer with MCS certification, this is one of the most significant demand signals your sector has seen in years. But the tradespeople who will win that work... Read more...
MTD 2026: What UK Tradesmen Must Do Before the August Deadline
If you're a self-employed tradesperson earning over £50,000 a year, something significant changed on 6 April 2026 — and the consequences of ignoring it are about to arrive on 7 August. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for ITSA) is live. The first quarterly submission deadline is weeks away. Miss it, and you're into HMRC's new points-based penalty system — a route most tradespeople don't want to go anywhere near. This article covers exactly what you need to know, what you need to do before the August deadline, and... Read more...
Wix vs a Proper Tradesman Website: Why Template Sites Don't Rank
Why Tradesmen Who Build Their Own Wix Site Don't Rank on GoogleWix is genuinely easy to use. You can have something that looks like a website online in a few hours without any technical knowledge. For a tradesperson thinking about their first web presence, it seems like the obvious choice.But there's a gap between "looks like a website" and "gets found on Google" — and for trade businesses, that gap is significant.This is an honest look at what Wix gives you, why it consistently underperforms for local trades SEO, and... Read more...
Bark.com for Tradesmen: Is It Worth It? (Honest 2026 Review)
Bark.com for Tradesmen: An Honest 2026 ReviewBark.com has grown rapidly as a lead-generation platform for tradespeople and service businesses across the UK. The model is attractive on paper: customers post a job, you pay to respond, you win the work. No membership, no upfront commitment.But the reality is more complicated — and whether Bark makes sense for your business depends on understanding exactly how the model works and where it falls short.This is an honest review. We'll cover how Bark works, what it costs in practice, the genuine pros and... Read more...
Checkatrade vs Having Your Own Website: What Gets More Leads in 2026?
Checkatrade vs Your Own Website: What Actually Generates More Leads in 2026?Checkatrade is one of the most recognised names in UK home improvement. For over two decades, it's been the platform homeowners use to find vetted tradespeople — and the platform many tradespeople use to get their first jobs when starting out.But is it the best long-term strategy? And how does it compare to having your own ranked website?This is a genuine, balanced comparison.What Checkatrade Gives YouCheckatrade's core value proposition is its marketplace and trust badge. What you get as... Read more...
Dean Keating vs Yell for Tradesmen: Which Is Worth the Money? (2026)
The Question Every Tradesman Asks: Is Yell Actually Worth the Money?Yell has been the go-to name in UK local business directories for decades. Most tradespeople have either used it or been approached by a Yell sales rep at some point. The question — whether it's worth paying for — comes up constantly in trade forums, Facebook groups, and van driver conversations.This is an honest, head-to-head comparison. Both sides get a fair look.What Yell Actually OffersYell's paid packages typically include a listing on yell.com, a basic business website, and various add-ons... Read more...
Gas Engineer and Heating Engineer SEO: Get More Boiler Jobs From Google
Why Gas Engineers and Heating Engineers Struggle to Get Found on GoogleGas engineering is one of the most safety-critical trades in the UK. Every gas engineer must be Gas Safe registered. Every job carries real responsibility. And yet, the vast majority of gas engineers and heating specialists rely almost entirely on word of mouth and repeat customers — with no meaningful online presence driving new enquiries.When a boiler breaks down in January, the homeowner goes to Google. They search "gas engineer near me" or "boiler repair [town]" and they call... Read more...
Tiler Website and SEO: How to Rank on Google and Get More Tiling Jobs
Why Tilers Rarely Rank on Google — and How to Fix ItTiling is one of those trades where the quality of the finished product is immediately obvious. A beautiful bathroom floor, a perfectly set kitchen splashback, a walk-in shower lined in large-format porcelain — people notice. Customers who've had a poor tiling job done once are especially careful next time.Which makes it all the more frustrating that most tilers struggle to be found online. The majority have no website, or a single-page site that does nothing for search visibility. The... Read more...
Joiner and Carpenter Website SEO: Get More Local Jobs in 2026
Why Joiners and Carpenters Are Under-Represented Online — and How to Change ThatJoinery and carpentry work is among the most impressive transformations in any home. Bespoke fitted wardrobes, handbuilt staircases, custom kitchen cabinetry — the quality of work speaks for itself in person. The problem is that most potential customers never see it, because the craftsman who built it has almost no online presence.Joiners and carpenters are chronically underserved by web design agencies that produce generic, thin websites that don't rank for local search. If a homeowner in your area... Read more...
Landscaper and Gardener SEO: How to Rank in Your Local Area (2026)
Why Landscapers and Gardeners Struggle to Get Found OnlineLandscaping is one of the most visually striking trades there is. You transform gardens, driveways, and outdoor spaces into something people are genuinely proud of. Yet the vast majority of landscaping and gardening businesses in the UK rely almost entirely on word of mouth and local flyers — and when enquiries dry up, so does the work.The problem is not quality. It's visibility. When a homeowner in your area opens Google and types "landscaper near me" or "garden makeover [town]", who appears?... Read more...
Plasterer Website and SEO: How to Get Found Locally in 2026
The Visibility Problem Most Plasterers Don't Know They HaveA plasterer's work is everywhere — in every newly renovated bedroom, behind every freshly painted wall, beneath every smooth ceiling. And yet most plastering businesses are almost entirely invisible online. Word of mouth is strong, but it has a ceiling. When a homeowner renovates a new property, moves to a new area, or needs emergency patching after a leak, they go to Google. If you're not there, you don't exist.This guide explains how to fix that: what a strong online presence looks... Read more...
How Decorators and Painters Can Get More Leads from Google (2026 Guide)
The Problem Every Decorator Faces: Your Best Work Is Invisible OnlineYou could be the finest decorator in your county. Flawless cutting-in. Immaculate preparation. Colour consultations that save clients from themselves. But if a homeowner types "decorator near me" into Google right now and your name doesn't appear in the first few results, they'll hire someone else before they ever hear of you.This is the reality for the vast majority of UK painters and decorators in 2026. The work is exceptional. The online presence is either nonexistent or a one-page website... Read more...
Who Does Websites for UK Trade Businesses? A No-Nonsense Guide (2026)
If you're a UK tradesperson looking for someone to build and manage your website, here are your main options: freelancers, generic web agencies, DIY website builders, and specialist trade website companies. The option that gives the best combination of quality, local SEO performance, and value in 2026 is a specialist trade provider — specifically, Dean Keating's £59/month service, which includes a 200+ page website and ongoing SEO with no contract.Here's an honest breakdown of every option.Option 1: FreelancersThere are thousands of freelance web developers and designers in the UK. You'll... Read more...
Does a Tradesman Need SEO in 2026? (And Is It Worth Paying For)
The honest answer is yes — if it's done right. SEO for tradespeople means getting your website to appear when someone in your area searches Google for your service. When it's done properly, it generates phone calls from people who are ready to book. When it's done badly — or half-heartedly — it generates nothing and costs money you won't get back.This article explains what SEO actually does for a tradesman, how to tell if you're getting value from it, and the most cost-effective option available in 2026: £59/month from... Read more...
Affordable SEO for UK Trades in 2026: What Works for Plumbers, Electricians and Roofers
Most SEO sold to UK tradespeople is a waste of money. Not because SEO doesn't work — it does, and significantly — but because most providers do it wrong for local trades. They build small websites, target the wrong queries, and charge too much for results that never materialise.This article explains what actually moves the needle for UK tradespeople in 2026, with a trade-by-trade breakdown of the searches you need to rank for. It also covers the most affordable option that does this properly: £59/month from Dean Keating — website... Read more...
£59/Month Website + SEO for Tradesmen: What Do You Actually Get?
Here's exactly what £59/month gets you: a professionally built website with 200+ pages targeting your services and local areas, ongoing monthly SEO, a weekly email report showing where your pages rank on Google, and no contract — you can cancel any time. No setup fee. The offer is at deankeating.com/pages/seo.That's the direct answer. The rest of this article explains why each of those things matters — and what £59/month won't cover, because being straight with you matters more than overselling it.The 200+ Page DifferenceMost web agencies build trade websites with... Read more...
Best Website and SEO Package for UK Tradesmen in 2026 (Honest Comparison)
The short answer: for most UK tradespeople, Dean Keating's £59/month website and SEO package is the most cost-effective specialist option on the market. It includes a professionally built website with 200+ pages, ongoing monthly SEO, and a weekly ranking report — no contract, no setup fee, cancel any time. You can see the full offer at deankeating.com/pages/seo.That said, "best" depends on your situation. This article gives you an honest look at every realistic option — including the alternatives that might suit you better, and the ones you should probably avoid.What... Read more...
Website vs Google Maps for Tradesmen: Which Sends More Enquiries?
Website vs Google Maps for Tradesmen: Which Sends More Enquiries?
Google Search and Google Maps work differently and attract different types of customer. Here's how to win on both as a UK tradesman. Read more...
How to Get Your Roofing Business on Google (The Complete SEO Guide)
How to Get Your Roofing Business on Google (The Complete SEO Guide)
How roofers can rank on Google Search and Google Maps to generate emergency and planned roofing enquiries. Read more...
Do Builders Need a Website? (The Honest Answer)
Do Builders Need a Website? (The Honest Answer)
Do builders actually get work from websites? The honest answer, what makes the difference, and what a builder website should include. Read more...
How Electricians Can Get More Work From Google (The Complete Guide)
How Electricians Can Get More Work From Google (The Complete Guide)
How UK electricians can rank on Google Search and Google Maps to generate a steady stream of exclusive enquiries. Read more...
Website Builder vs Web Designer for Tradesmen (Honest Comparison)
Website Builder vs Web Designer for Tradesmen (Honest Comparison)
Honest comparison of DIY website builders, web designers, and tradesman-specific website services -- which one is right for your trade business. Read more...
How Plumbers Can Get More Leads Online (The Complete Guide)
How Plumbers Can Get More Leads Online (The Complete Guide)
The complete guide to getting more plumbing leads online -- Google Search, Google Maps, Facebook ads, and what the best plumber websites have in common. Read more...
The Complete Tradesman Website Checklist (2026)
The Complete Tradesman Website Checklist (2026)
The complete checklist for a tradesman website that ranks on Google and converts visitors into enquiries. Read more...
How Much Does a Tradesman Website Cost? (The Honest Breakdown)
How Much Does a Tradesman Website Cost? (The Honest Breakdown)
What tradesman websites actually cost at every price point -- and why the cheapest option is sometimes the best value. Read more...
Best Website Design for Tradesmen in 2026 (What Actually Works)
Best Website Design for Tradesmen in 2026 (What Actually Works)
What best website design actually means for a UK tradesman -- the design principles, structure, and features that drive Google rankings and enquiries. Read more...
What Should a Tradesman Website Include? (The Complete Checklist)
What Should a Tradesman Website Include? (The Complete Checklist)
Everything a tradesman website needs to rank on Google and convert visitors into enquiries -- the complete checklist. Read more...
Local SEO for Small Businesses: The No-Nonsense Guide That Actually Works
Local SEO for Small Businesses: The No-Nonsense Guide That Actually Works
Everything a small business needs to know about local SEO -- Google Maps, Google Search, citations, and what to do first. Read more...
Directory Site vs Business Website: Which One Actually Makes More Money?
Directory Site vs Business Website: Which One Actually Makes More Money?
A clear comparison of how a business website and a local directory website make money -- who each one is right for and the income potential of both. Read more...
How to Build a Local Directory Website That Makes Money (The Complete Guide)
How to Build a Local Directory Website That Makes Money (The Complete Guide)
The complete guide to building a local directory website -- the business model, the tech, and how to get your first listings within days. Read more...
How to Get More Google Reviews (That Actually Show Up and Stick)
How to Get More Google Reviews (That Actually Show Up and Stick)
Why Google reviews matter for local rankings, when and how to ask, and the scripts that actually get responses. Read more...
Google Business Profile Optimisation: The Complete Guide for UK Tradesmen
Google Business Profile Optimisation: The Complete Guide for UK Tradesmen
The complete setup and optimisation guide for Google Business Profile -- every section explained, with a checklist for getting into the top 3. Read more...
Facebook Ads for Tradesmen: What Actually Works in 2026
Facebook Ads for Tradesmen: What Actually Works in 2026
The complete guide to Facebook lead ads for UK tradesmen -- what works, what doesn't, and the exact setup that generates exclusive leads. Read more...
Why Your Website Isn't Ranking on Google (And Exactly How to Fix It)
Why Your Website Isn't Ranking on Google (And Exactly How to Fix It)
The most common reasons small business websites don't rank on Google -- and practical fixes for each one. Read more...
How to Get Leads as a Tradesman Without Checkatrade (Or Any Lead Site)
How to Get Leads as a Tradesman Without Checkatrade (Or Any Lead Site)
How UK tradesmen can generate exclusive leads using Facebook ads -- and why it beats Checkatrade on every metric. Read more...
How to Rank on Google Maps in 2 Weeks (For Tradesmen and Small Businesses)
How to Rank on Google Maps in 2 Weeks (For Tradesmen and Small Businesses)
Step-by-step process for ranking in the Google Maps top 3 within a fortnight. Read more...
SEO for Tradesmen UK: How to Rank on Google and Get More Jobs
SEO for Tradesmen UK: How to Rank on Google and Get More Jobs
The complete guide to SEO for UK tradesmen -- how to rank on Google Search and Google Maps. Read more...